Andre Dominic Anthony Peter Cropper
- Electrical Engineer

Dr Andre Dominic Cropper is a research scientist and innovator whose inventions are “changing the way we look at TV.” He is the mastermind behind a new ground-breaking Flat Panel Display utilising a slim film Touch Screen made from thin layers of diamond called Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED). The display is self-luminating which means it emits light, excluding the need for bulky back lighting found currently in televisions, mobile phones and computers. This astonishing discovery “will replace other technologies such as liquid crystal displays and plasma display screens” since the technology will enable equipment such as television sets and computer monitors to be made 3mm thick allowing them to be lighter, and so more portable, and requiring very little power. Quite a revolutionary discovery with great potential but not surprising for this passionate, futuristic thinker with an intense drive for innovation and a love for engineering. He also holds two patents for the inexpensive manufacturing of thin layers of laboratory-produced diamond for potential use in TV displays.

Andre Cropper as a 2 year old

Andre Cropper was born on 4th August 1961 in St James, Trinidad. He attended Newtown Boys R.C. Primary School. His curious mind was nurtured by supportive parents who attempted to answer the technical questions. In 1973 he entered Fatima College, a top boys’ secondary school, where he was excited by Mathematics and fascinated by Physics. He took apart electronic appliances at home and put them back together as best as he could, learning how they operated in the process. It was then that he knew he wanted to pursue a career in Electrical Engineering.

Young Cropper was not only an academic, but he was also an athlete. He was a dedicated swimmer, with his days beginning at 4:30 a.m. when he would walk to the Flying Fish swim club’s pool and swim before he went to school.  He was a member of the national swim team, and represented Trinidad and Tobago regionally and internationally during the 1970s.

A young Andre Cropper

He went to the United States in 1978 to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering at Howard University in Washington D.C. From his first semester, he was placed on the Honour Roll and Dean’s List for outstanding students. While he was still an undergraduate, his lecturer asked him to teach a graduate laboratory course and he graciously accepted. At that time he was also eligible to be selected to the national swim team to represent his country for the 1984 Olympics. The swimming enthusiast was elated but torn between this passion and his academics, since he would have to train for a year before the Olympics and this meant taking a year off from University. He reluctantly declined the offer and focused on his studies. In May 1984, he graduated with honours. He immediately started his Master’s degree and graduated with honours in 1987.

Dr Cropper Teaching at UWI, St Augustine

Upon graduation, he began teaching at Norfolk State University in Virginia. In his spare time, Cropper began research on diamond technologies, and the use of thin layers of laboratory-developed diamonds as a semiconductor for new technological applications. He sent a proposal of this work to NASA, which was impressed by the idea. Since he did not have his Ph.D., NASA stipulated that he would have to hand over his research to “a qualified researcher” and work under that person. He refused the offer and decided to pursue a doctoral degree and develop his idea. In 1995 he obtained his Ph.D. in Electrical/Materials Engineering from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in Blacksburg, Virginia. On completion of this doctorate, Dr. Cropper returned to his homeland where he began teaching at the University of the West Indies in the Department of Electrical Engineering.

Flat Panel Display

He joined Eastman Kodak Company in Rochester, New York in 1999 as a Research Associate and Project Manager of OLED applications. This field challenged his inventiveness and futuristic thinking. His research work at Kodak included OLED applications, thin film diamond growth, production and its novel applications, new semi-conducting electronic and optoelectronic materials, flat panel display technologies, remote sensing, image exploitation and compression, information extraction and motion estimation. His current position is now that of Technology Development Manager for the Sensor Products within ITT Industries Space Systems Division.

Dr Cropper with students of Fatima College

In his free time, Dr. Cropper helps to promote science awareness and to inspire young scientists. He conducts workshops and guest lectures at community schools and universities. He also serves as a role model and a liaison with kindergarten, elementary and secondary schools. He returns to Trinidad regularly to give back to the young people of his homeland. His vision is to promote science and engineering awareness and to encourage young innovative minds to develop and attain their full potential.

He advises parents to “nurture curious minds (of their children). Listen to their questions and try to answer them (honestly). If you do not know the answer, take them to the library”. He urges young people to “respect your elders and your family and learn from their knowledge and experiences”. He reflects that even to this day, he still seeks advice from his parents who motivated him, and who continue to be his role models.

Dr. Cropper is happily married to Natalie Rogers, a professional dancer and dance school administrator at Garth Fagan Dance Company. They have one child. Apart from his love for swimming, Dr. Cropper enjoys scuba diving, reading, dancing, nature walks and fine arts.

This Icon is also featured in the Video Documentary,  Caribbean Icons in Science, Technology and Innovation Volume I and Trinidad and Tobago Icons Volume I:

Sources:

 Interview with Dr. Andre Cropper

Weblinks:

Next-Generation Displays Coming Soon - Sanyo, Kodak start commercial OLED production.
Martyn Williams, IDG News Service

What is OLED?

Selected Publications:

Cropper, A.D., Feldman, R.D., Siwinski, M. and Kilmer, K. (2002) Optical characterisation of OLED displays with touch screens In: Proc. SPIE Organic light-emitting materials and devices V. Zakya H. Kafafi (E.) Vol. 4464, p.344-351.

Cropper, A.D., Cok, R.S. and Feldman, R.D. (2000) Organic LED system and applications. SPIE 2000. 4105:19-29.

Education:

Awards/Honours:

Patents:

Memberships:

• Member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE)

• Member of Society for Optical Engineering (SPIE)

• Member of Society for Information Display (SID)

• Member of American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES)

• Member of National Society for Black Engineers (NSBE)

Photo Gallery

View Andre Cropper's Picture Gallery

NIHERST         43-45 Woodford Street, Newtown, Trinidad W.I.         Tel: 1 (868) 622-7880        E-mail: icons@niherst.gov.tt